Heavyweight Anthony Joshua may have only had 19 fights, but he has already earned more money than most boxers can dream of.

The 27-year-old remains unbeaten in the ring and boasts a string of advertising endorsements that have helped make him one of the most marketable athletes in the world today.

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The boxer – who was born in Watford and grew up on the Meriden estate - netted £6.5 million when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in only his 19th fight as a professional at Wembley Stadium.

And Joshua is now thought to have amassed more than £15 million after series of amazing performances.

Long before the former Kingls Langley Secondary School pupul became heavyweight champion of the world, fighting led him down a darker path.

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Watford Observer:

He once ended up behind bars, and twice avoided long jail terms.

In 2007, aged 17, he finally found a legitimate outlet for his fighting instincts, when his cousin took him to a local boxing club.

Joshua dedicated himself to the ring and went on to lift the super heavyweight gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics – just five years after he took up the sport.

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After his Olympic triumph, he shunned the spotlight in favour of a more humble life. He turned down £50,000 to turn professional straight away, preferring to bide his time.

When the money did start to roll in, he bought his mum’s council flat in Golders Green, North London.

Watford Observer:

Boxer Anthony Joshua surprised his former coach Sean Murphy before his last fight

He still lives there with his social worker mum, despite buying a £500,000 penthouse in nearby Finchley for yoga instructor Nicole Osbourne, the mother of his son, Joseph, who was born at Watford General in October 2015.

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Watford Observer:

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said: “Avoiding prison was a big turning point for Anthony. He’s a bad guy trying to be good.

“Boxing has saved his life. It’s given him discipline, a focus for that huge physique.”

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He also revealed Joshua could command a £50 million fee for every fight in the near future.